Professional golf has this reputation for being cold and cutthroat. We’re constantly told that players walk those fairways as lone wolves, that every victory comes at someone else’s expense. But sometimes, the sport reveals its heart in the most unexpected ways, reminding us why these relationships matter so much more than any leaderboard. Minjee Lee’s heartfelt social media tribute after her 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship victory revealed exactly this kind of moment.

The Australian didn’t just capture her third major title at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco—she showcased the beautiful side of professional golf that rarely gets headlines. Her commanding three-stroke victory over Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen was impressive enough, but what happened afterward told the real story.

Lee dominated the challenging Texas venue with remarkable composure. She entered the final round with a four-shot lead and never let it slip away, despite some early bogeys that could have derailed her momentum. The conditions were brutal—swirling winds, triple-digit heat index, and firm greens that punished even slight miscalculations. Yet Lee maintained her steely focus throughout, closing with a 2-over 74 that was good enough to secure the $1.8 million winner’s check.

However, Lee’s celebration revealed what truly mattered to her. She immediately turned to Instagram stories to share the winning moment’s more profound significance. One story showed her being doused with champagne, captioned “Who made this so much sweeter.” Another image captured her walking alongside Lydia Ko, who was holding a bottle of champagne, Wie-Ling Hsu, and Hannah Green, with the message “Thank you, my friends.” The final post featured Lee embracing a fellow competitor with one word: “Memorable.”

The victory carried enormous emotional weight beyond the trophy and prize money. Lee had endured a grueling 20-month drought since her last LPGA triumph at the 2023 BMW Ladies Championship. This wasn’t just any winless streak—it was a period filled with self-doubt and mounting pressure. “I feel like I had a lot of doubt the past few years,” Lee confessed after her victory. “I think the more I heard media and other people saying things about my putting, I think it got to me more and more over time.”

Ko’s presence among those celebrating made the moment even more poignant. The New Zealand star finished tied for 12th at 5-over par (293) at the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, posting rounds of 75-73-74-71 and earning $170,561. Despite being well off Lee’s winning pace, Ko was still there to support her fellow competitor. For Ko, this tournament represented another missed opportunity in her pursuit of a career Grand Slam—she needs both the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and U.S. Women’s Open to complete the rare feat of winning all five major championships. Despite falling short of her own goals this week at Fields Ranch East, Ko chose to stay and celebrate someone else’s breakthrough.

Lydia Ko’s Role as a mentor and a friend

Ko’s unwavering support for Lee reflects a friendship that stretches back to their childhood dreams of winning major championships. The two have been friends since their junior golf days, competing together across the Asia-Pacific region and rising through the amateur ranks side by side. Their bond was perfectly illustrated at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, where both were in contention chasing the same childhood dream that Lee ultimately achieved with her historic victory at Pine Needles.

The New Zealand star’s remarkable 2024 transformation included three LPGA victories and Olympic gold in Paris, which automatically inducted her into the Hall of Fame at age 27. Ko’s comeback story resonates deeply with players facing similar challenges because she understands precisely what Lee experienced during her drought. Their careers have been intertwined since their amateur golf days, when Ko defeated Lee in the 2012 Australian Amateur Championship semifinals.

Now Ko serves as both mentor and friend to fellow competitors. Her physical presence during Lee’s celebration carries special meaning because she knows precisely what those champagne-soaked moments represent after periods of uncertainty. The genuine joy on Ko’s face while celebrating Lee’s victory demonstrates how the LPGA Tour’s culture has evolved beyond pure competition into something more meaningful.

Lee’s Instagram messages perfectly captured this sentiment. The Australian didn’t just win a major championship—she experienced a moment made sweeter by the presence of someone who truly understands the journey from doubt to redemption, proving that golf’s most significant victories are often shared rather than solitary.